'PLUNDERING THE LIBERAL PHILOSOPHICAL TRADITION'? THE USE OR ABUSE OF ADAM SMITH IN PARLIAMENT, 1919–2023

In: National Institute economic review: journal of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, Volume 265, p. 144-156

Abstract

AbstractThe contemporary relevance of Adam Smith is evidenced by continued reference to his name. Computational analysis identifies over 700 mentions of Smith and his two famous works—The Theory of Moral Sentiments and The Wealth of Nations—in post-World War 1 House of Commons debates. We find some parliamentarians appreciate Smith's complex ideas, but most references are 'ornamental'. Charting Smith's use over the decades, this paper builds on Kirk Willis' idea that studying parliamentary debates are an ideal way to understand how, at best, policy ideas, germinate and disseminate over time, or, at worst, how 'complex ideas became slogans'.